level 4 diploma in business studies

level 4 diploma in business studies

Level 4 Diploma in Business Studies

This Level 4 qualification builds upon prior knowledge derived from either formal academic qualifications, or via practical experience. It is an internationally recognised qualification that provides a strong foundation for working with animals and a basis for further study at degree level. A level 4 Diploma Animal Psychology can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in Business, Management or Retail.

Students are currently being accepted on a pre-enrolment basis. This means that students can register to start the course as soon as it begins. Materials will become available to students as they progress through the course.

Award: Level 4 Diploma in Business Studies

This course is Quality Assured by the Quality Licence Scheme Quality Assured by QLS

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from ABC Awards and a Learner Unit Summary(which lists the details of all the units the learner has completed as part of the course).

The course has been endorsed under the ABC Awards Quality Licence Scheme. This means that Oxford Learning College has undergone an external quality check to ensure that the organisation and the courses it offers, meet certain quality criteria. The completion of this course alone does not lead to an Ofqual regulated qualification but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills towards regulated qualifications in the future.

The unit summary can be used as evidence towards Recognition of Prior Learning if you wish to progress your studies in this sector. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 4 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of demand/complexity involved in successful completion by the learner.

The course itself has been designed by Oxford Learning College to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. ABC Awards endorsement involves robust and rigorous quality audits by external auditors to ensure quality is continually met. A review of courses is carried out as part of the endorsement process.

ABC Awards is a leading national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, and the Welsh Government. It has a long-established reputation for developing and awarding high quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. As a registered charity, ABC Awards combines 180 years of expertise but also implements a responsive, flexible and innovative approach to the needs of our customers. Renowned for excellent customer service, and quality standards, ABC Awards also offers Ofqual regulated qualifications for all ages and abilities post-14; all are developed with the support of relevant stakeholders to ensure that they meet the needs and standards of employers across the UK.

Unit 1: Using information, communication and technology ICT in the study of Business

Level H1

Learning hours: 60

Unit description

The first unit of this course aims to raise learner awareness of the different types of ICT skills, and provide the opportunity for them to develop these skills commensurate higher levels of study. The course is delivered via distance learning with no face to face contact between tutors and students, therefore understanding appropriate research techniques, portfolio skills and self-reflection is important in terms of independent study at this level as well as facilitating a positive learning experience

Students are encouraged to conduct independent research related to the Business Studies Applications using ICT skills, so that they can begin to compile their own resource list and also prepare themselves for further and more complex activities later in the course

Utilisation of methods , tools and strategies of ICT to establish and maintain a sound working relationship with tutors and the college.

Development of ICT skills in order to communicate effectively and maximise study progression.

2 ePortfolio constructs

Setting up an ePortfolio for use during the lifetime of the course for storage of files including coursework, self-assessment activities, independent research notes and reflective journals.

The ePortfolio may be requested from time to time by tutors and moderators. Learners will be asked at various points in the course to upload files for this purpose.

A structured system of unique information but once completed can be used as a resource for continuing professional development (CPD), and a body of revision for future studies.

3 Independent web based research

Independent research to equip students with confidence to source and evaluate information relevant to the core course topics within Business Studies Applications

Develop tools and strategies with which to begin to undertake independent research and integrate this into coursework activities, for example suggesting ways to read research articles and assimilate types of information from these.

4 Principles of self-assessment and reflective writing

The development of knowledge and understanding through writing skills for communicating ideas and arguments to tutors and other readers of written work.

Reviews of writing skills

Reflective writing skills and practice

Promotion of pro-active implementation of skills enhancement through tutor feedback and self-assessment

Unit 2: Financial planning in business

Level H1

Learning hours: 60

Unit description

The aim of this unit is to give learners an opportunity to study the principles and practices of financial planning within business application. Financial planning underpins business ethos and practice, therefore learners are encouraged to develop knowledge and understanding of the core processes presented in the unit and to engage in independent research in order to expand analytical skills

Unit content

1 Cost and profit

Output and input

Assessing and monitoring cost and profit

Fixed, variable and semi-variable cost and profit

Case study examples

Processes for increasing revenue

2 Break even analysis

Overview and formulae

Margins of safety

Concepts of contribution

Case study examples

Strengths and weaknesses of the analysis and application

3 Cash flow forecasting

Construction of cash flow forecasts

Examples

Opening balances, cash inflows and outflows, net cash flow

Closing balances

Using cash flow forecasting as a business planning tool

Case study examples

4 Budgeting

Definition and examples

Control of budgets

Delegating responsibility

How budgets are set and managed

Benefits: organisational, motivational

Advantages and disadvantages of budget setting

Assessing start up costs using SMART objectives

Case studies

Unit 3: Structure, risk and enterprise

Level: H1

Learning hours: 60

Unit description

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to study how business is structured, its hierarchy, chain of commands and how risk and enterprise are incorporated into productivity and performance. The unit also aims to provide learners with an opportunity to learn about different processes for maintaining organisational structure and thus efficacy of business applications

Unit content

1 Enterprise

Outline of enterprise concepts, processes and incorporation into business applications

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with an opportunity to explore operational management processes, procedures and practices in business applications. This involves exploration of job analyses, methods of management process and application of operational systems. Recruitment has a specific unit, and although recruitment will be briefly discussed in the context of operational management it will not be covered in detail within this unit

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with an opportunity to explore marketing processes, principles and practice associated with business applications, and also to consider competitive environments and their impact and influence on business practices

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to study economic practices and processes related to business applications. Learners will be encouraged to engage in independent research of current fiscal policies and European and global influences on business practice and applications related to growth and development

Unit content

1 Principles of economic growth

GDP and GNP

The business cycle: peak or boom, recession, the multiplier effect, slump or trough, recovery and expansion

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with an opportunity to explore the different layers with business administration and relate practice to application, objectives and organisational structure

Unit content

1 Business personnel

Overview of a range of business personnel, their placement within the layers of business administration and their roles and responsibilities including: PA, office managers, human resources, general administrators and office workers

2 Skills requirements

Overview of each role and the skills requirement to discharge role and responsibility. Discussion relating to ability and qualification related to experience

3 Leadership

Origins of leadership within business administration, and within each layer

Direction and alignment

Relationships and qualities

Empowerment and vision

Mastery

Empathy and values

4 Future roles and responsibilities

Evaluation of key historical leaders and their contributions

Consideration of the future of business administration: attributes, aims and objectives, motivation, global influence, technological advancement, opportunity and personal perceptions and expectations

Unit 8: Leadership: developing visionary concepts

Level H1

Learning hours: 60

Unit description

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to examine visionary leadership practice related to theoretical concepts and models. This unit follows on from leadership discussions from unit 7 relating to business administration practices and expands the concepts and discussions to explore analytical perspectives and measurable performance strategies within visionary leadership